Japan has repeatedly urged North Korea to refrain from any provocations including nuclear tests or ballistic missile launches and to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs) and the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. With regard to the abductions issue, the most important issue for the Abe Administration, Japan has been demanding the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date while exerting pressure on North Korea; however, the issue has not been resolved yet.

Against this backdrop, since the beginning of this year, North Korea went ahead with two nuclear tests at an unprecedentedly short interval and launched over twenty ballistic missiles including short- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles and submarine launched missiles, which could serve as a means to deliver weapons of mass destruction. North Korea’s enhanced nuclear and missile capabilities have reached a new level of threat. These outrageous acts are totally unacceptable.

While the Government of Japan has taken significantly strict autonomous measures against North Korea, the Government of Japan has decided to further introduce the following autonomous measures against North Korea in order to realize the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern, such as the abductions, nuclear, and missile issues, in cooperation with the United States of America and the Republic of Korea, besides the measures based on the UNSCR 2321. 

First, the Government of Japan strengthens restrictions on movement of persons as follows:
1. Increase the number of persons in the position to assist North Korean officials residing in Japan who are subject to ban on re-entry after traveling to North Korea
2. Increase the number of foreign experts on nuclear and missile technology residing in Japan who are subject to ban on re-entry after traveling to North Korea

Second, the Government of Japan bans the entry of all vessels which have previously called at ports in North Korea, by introducing ban on the entry of Japanese flag vessels which have previously called at ports in North Korea.

Third, the Government of Japan increases the number of entities and individuals designated for asset-freezing measures as related to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and other related programs.

In sum, under the consistent policy of “dialogue and pressure” and “action for action,” Japan strongly urges North Korea to take concrete steps toward the comprehensive resolution of outstanding issues of concern, such as nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, the most important issue for the Abe Administration, Japan will make its utmost efforts to realize the return of all abductees at the earliest possible date based on the agreement between Japan and North Korea reached at Stockholm in May, 2014.